The end of the French and Indian War did not lead to a period of peace. Colonists became angry at Britain’s Proclamation of 1763 prohibiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. They were also alarmed at new regulations and taxes designed to increase British revenues. To oppose those measures, men like Patrick Henry spoke out in colonial legislatures. Others formed organizations such as the Sons of Liberty. Through boycotts and protests they forced Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts.
Tensions increased when violence erupted in 1770 in the Boston Massacre. Three years later colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped tea into Boston Harbor. The British response was quick and, to the colonists, intolerable. By 1774 colonial leaders recognized the need for unified action. The First Continental Congress was called.
The first shots of the American Revolution were fired on April 19, 1775, in Lexington, Massachusetts. The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as the army’s commander. By July 1776 the colonists were ready to declare independence.
Chapter 6: The American Revolution
Chapter Overviews
After the colonies declared independence from Great Britain in July 1776, the war for freedom was unavoidable. The British, with a superior navy, larger population, and world empire, seemed to have all of the advantages. But the colonists were fighting for their freedom on their own ground. They were determined to win.
Battles were fought in every region of the colonies. The colonists' victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the war. Not only did it boost American spirits—it also convinced France to support the American cause. The financial and military aid of France, and, later, of Spain, was crucial to the war effort.
General Washington and his French allies eventually were able to surround the British general, Lord Charles Cornwallis, and his troops at Yorktown, Virginia. On October 19, 1781, the British surrendered. The peace treaty was signed in 1783 and the United States was recognized as a free and independent nation.
Chapter 7: A More Perfect Union
Chapter Overviews
After winning their independence from Great Britain, the thirteen states adopted new state constitutions. They also needed to form some kind of central government. Adopted in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was the first government of the United States.
By 1787 the weaknesses of the Articles were clear. A convention was held in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. While originally planned merely to revise the Articles of Confederation, the convention eventually adopted an entirely new plan: the Constitution. Delegates worked to settle differences over representation and slavery. Incorporating ideas from English law, the Enlightenment, and their own experiences, they designed a federal system that divided powers between the national government and the states. Further, they split the functions of government among three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. After strong debate throughout the country, the new Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states. It now was time for the nation to elect leaders and begin the work of government.
The American Journey
Unit 3
Chapter 5: Road to Independence
Chapter Overviews
The end of the French and Indian War did not lead to a period of peace. Colonists became angry at Britain’s Proclamation of 1763 prohibiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. They were also alarmed at new regulations and taxes designed to increase British revenues. To oppose those measures, men like Patrick Henry spoke out in colonial legislatures. Others formed organizations such as the Sons of Liberty. Through boycotts and protests they forced Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts.Tensions increased when violence erupted in 1770 in the Boston Massacre. Three years later colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped tea into Boston Harbor. The British response was quick and, to the colonists, intolerable. By 1774 colonial leaders recognized the need for unified action. The First Continental Congress was called.
The first shots of the American Revolution were fired on April 19, 1775, in Lexington, Massachusetts. The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as the army’s commander. By July 1776 the colonists were ready to declare independence.
Chapter 6: The American Revolution
Chapter Overviews
After the colonies declared independence from Great Britain in July 1776, the war for freedom was unavoidable. The British, with a superior navy, larger population, and world empire, seemed to have all of the advantages. But the colonists were fighting for their freedom on their own ground. They were determined to win.Battles were fought in every region of the colonies. The colonists' victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the war. Not only did it boost American spirits—it also convinced France to support the American cause. The financial and military aid of France, and, later, of Spain, was crucial to the war effort.
General Washington and his French allies eventually were able to surround the British general, Lord Charles Cornwallis, and his troops at Yorktown, Virginia. On October 19, 1781, the British surrendered. The peace treaty was signed in 1783 and the United States was recognized as a free and independent nation.
Chapter 7: A More Perfect Union
Chapter Overviews
After winning their independence from Great Britain, the thirteen states adopted new state constitutions. They also needed to form some kind of central government. Adopted in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was the first government of the United States.By 1787 the weaknesses of the Articles were clear. A convention was held in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. While originally planned merely to revise the Articles of Confederation, the convention eventually adopted an entirely new plan: the Constitution. Delegates worked to settle differences over representation and slavery. Incorporating ideas from English law, the Enlightenment, and their own experiences, they designed a federal system that divided powers between the national government and the states. Further, they split the functions of government among three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. After strong debate throughout the country, the new Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states. It now was time for the nation to elect leaders and begin the work of government.